Every December, the U.S. Naval Academy would put up a huge Christmas tree in the foyer of Bancroft Hall (where the midshipmen live on campus). There were tons of tiny straw angels all over the tree. Each one had a slip of paper on it that had a child's age, sex, and gift wish. On Christmas I chose an angel that read: "6 year old female wants a red dress." I went to Annapolis Mall and walked into Bloomingdales and bought the most expensive red dress I could find in the girls' department. It was the type we all dream of when we're little - lots of stiff pettycoats and lace.
I don't know who that child was. But I think about her often and I hope she was very happy on Christmas morning to see that Santa had left her a red velvet dress.
What was even more heartwarming was delivering my wrapped present to Bancroft Hall. There were bicycles, sleds, wagons ... you name it. People really opened their hearts to all these children who had so little.